Quandary... I have 65 acres with a decent number of 2-3 inch trees. They are tulip poplars which grow in clusters. Tractor is a Kubota L6060. Found a 6ft brown tree cutter for a good price which seems a bit on the big side but would demolish the trees. Otherwise I could go with a bush hog 306 or similar heavy duty cutter. Any experience with anything similar anyone can share. Thought also of getting a loader mounted tree shear for the stuff that is a little too big.
Bush Hog 306 or Brown Tree Cutter
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jeff9366
Super Star Member
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- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
I have 65 acres.......
Brown Tree Cutter: T-B-N ARCHIVE:
Brown Tree Cutter site:tractorbynet.com
Brown Web Site:
Brown Tree Cutter: T-B-N ARCHIVE:
Brown Tree Cutter site:tractorbynet.com
Brown Web Site:
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WVH1977
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- Richmond, VA
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- Massey 2860M Cab, New Holland TC40, Hitachi EX100, Gravely Pro-Turn 560
Brown tree cutter would be my choice. I had a Woods BB600X that was a beast. I would say somewhat similar to the brown tree cutter. If you run over it, it eats it up. It was a bit overkill for my New Holland TC40 but it would chomp. What size gear box is on the Brown?
seville009
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After you do the initial clearing of the land with the tree cutter, you can just sell it and get a basic brush hog. Might even make money in the resale the way prices are going.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I would be concerned about the weight of a Brown tree cutter - 1700# - and the required HP. It's going to put your L6060 right on the bottom end of required power and well over the 1200# recommended weight for a rotary cutter.
65 acres sure isn't going to do your tractor any favors using a rotary that large and with the large trees.
If you are in a hurry - hire somebody with a tree sheer. Otherwise - sharpen the 'ol chain saw and get a big PTO chipper.
65 acres sure isn't going to do your tractor any favors using a rotary that large and with the large trees.
If you are in a hurry - hire somebody with a tree sheer. Otherwise - sharpen the 'ol chain saw and get a big PTO chipper.
livemusic
Bronze Member
I had a recent thread on here about clearing a pasture and there were a number of suggestions. My tree 'problems' are sweetgums and water locust. I am told that both will come back if not treated with herbicide, so, be aware of that. I am going to do that.
As for my removal method, I have been doing it with chainsaw and also trying to pull them up by the roots, which works (chain and tractor) but it's slower going than I wish because I have a lot of trees. With 65 acres, your number of trees might be even more.
I found a 'brush grabber' gizmo online and it looks interesting for quick attaching to sapling (end of a chain) so you can pull them up by the roots. It looks like it would work. We just tie a chain on but I think the brush grabber would be faster and more efficient. Cost looks to be $200 to $400 depending on size.
You can also buy an attachment for a FEL that allows you to dig up saplings by the roots. That looks like it would work.
As for my choice, I just hired a mulcher operator. He is a bargain at $75/hour. Two years ago, I hired a mulcher guy who was across the road working on a neighbor's land and I asked him to come to my land for three hours and he did. I just wanted to see how fast he could clear a trail in dense forest. In three hours, he did what would take me weeks clearing a trail manually with chainsaw and brushcutter and machete. He charged $90/hour. So, I am eager to get the new guy for $75/hour. I will have him mulch all these sweetgums in the pasture and also blaze some new trails in my woodlot. I will not have him mulch the water locust trees as they have horrific thorns and I will pull them all up and burn them to, hopefully, get rid of all the thorns, which are long as your finger!
I have witnessed what a Brown tree cutter can do. It can, generally, do what a mulcher can do. But I saw it on a armor-plated tractor for working in the woods. As others said above, you need horsepower.
Just an update on this. Did end up with an RX7320 and the 6ft brown tree cutter. The cutter is HEAVY but will absolutely demolish anything you cut with it. I can cut through a clump of 3-5 tulip poplars all 3 inches in diameter and it doesn't even pull the engine on the tractor down.
tacticalturnip
Elite Member
I notice that you mention a new tractor, but didn't post pictures...